On the first two days of battle, Stonewall Jackson’s corps bore the
brunt of the fighting. James Longstreet arrived with his corps to
support Jackson’s right flank, but he waited until the afternoon of
the third day to launch a counterattack. This was immediately
effective. Union commander John Pope had completely misread
Longstreet’s intentions and was forced to order a retreat.
Longstreet’s Flank Attack
at Second Bull Run
EYEWITNESS August 30, 1862
“A fair opportunity was offered me, and the intended diversion
was changed into an attack. My whole line was rushed forward
at a charge. The troops sprang to their work, and moved forward
with all the steadiness and firmness that characterizes warworn
veterans. The batteries, continuing their play upon the confused
masses, completed the rout of this portion of the enemy’s line, and
my attack was therefore made against the forces in my front ...
The attacking columns moved steadily forward, driving the enemy
from his different positions as rapidly as he took them ... The
battle continued until 10 o’clock at night, when utter darkness
put a stop to our progress. The enemy made his escape across
Bull Run before daylight.
”LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES LONGSTREET, IN HIS REPORT OF OCTOBER 10, 1862,
FROM OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE WAR OF THE REBELLION“We were near enough to see some wavering in the blue masses,
then halt, and then a flight back to cover. But it was all up with
John Pope. No rest was given his army. Longstreet started every
man of us to his division to push them into attack, and soon
everything was hotly engaged. The easy, rounded ridges ran at
right angles to the turnpike, and over these infantry and artillery
poured in pursuit. The artillery would gallop furiously to the
nearest ridge, limber to the front, deliver a few rounds until the
enemy were out of range, and then gallop again to the next ridge.
And thus it went on until black darkness stopped operations ...
Losses on both sides were heavy. Alas! the butcher’s bill is
always to be paid after these grand operations, and at Manassas
especially there were some splendid young lives laid down for
our cause and our homes ... Longstreet was seen at his best
during the battle. His consummate ability in managing troops
was well displayed that day and his large bodies of men were
moved with great skill and without the least confusion.
”G. MOXLEY SORREL, LONGSTREET’S CHIEF OF STAFF, FROM AT THE RIGHT HAND
OF LONGSTREET: RECOLLECTIONS OF A CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER, 1905
The Union Army before the final clash
Hastily redeployed in an attempt to thwart Longstreet’s
flank attack, Union forces stave off disaster long enough
for Pope to withdraw in good order. They are seen in the
foreground of this sketch by Union artist Edwin Forbes.